You need a roofer to install a more efficient, secure roof — or maybe just the first roof that your new construction home will have. But with so many roofers available in the Boston area and throughout central Massachusetts, the last thing you want is to make the wrong call and end up regretting your new roof and your financial investment. That’s why it’s so important to do your research on any roofer before hiring them.
This goes beyond a simple internet search. While you can learn quite a bit about a roofer from checking their website or online reviews, you can’t get the full picture without talking to the roofers yourself. It’s best to have a list of questions addressing any possible concern so that you can leave confident that you made the right choice. Not sure what to ask? Here are a few questions to get you started, as well as why they’re so important to ask.
How Long Have You Been In Business? Are You Local?
This speaks to the reputation of the business. You want to know that they have some experience at their backs to make them credible before hiring them to work on your roof. It also helps to know that they work locally, rather than being a national chain that isn’t really invested in your community. A local Boston area roofer will be familiar with the climate, the people, and the best types of roofs for the space.
Are You Licensed? Do You Have Insurance and Worker’s Compensation?
To work in central Massachusetts, a roofer must first be licensed. If you talk to anyone who can’t provide proof of a license, you don’t want to go any further in that conversation. But it also helps to know that the roofer you hire is insured. If a roofer is insured, it goes a long way towards protecting you from liability. If your roofer isn’t insured with general liability insurance and worker’s compensation, an accident that happens on the job could legally and financially be considered your responsibility as the homeowner. Save yourself the possible sudden costs and go with a roofer that already has insurance.
Will You Remove My Old Roof? What Do You Do With the Old Material?
Not all roofers remove your old roof material. Some try to cut costs by installing the new roof on top of the old roof. This can cause a number of problems, including the fact that it fails to address any issues that might be going on beneath the surface of the roof. For instance, leaks or rotted roof decking won’t be noticed if you simply throw a new layer on top.
Homeowners might also be concerned when it comes to the clean-up. In most cases, homeowners will not be required to dispose of their old roof material. Roofers will bring a large container for the old roofing material, and they will ship it off when the job is done. If any roofing company tries to make this your responsibility, that’s a problem.
Do You Offer a Variety of Options?
Many roofers try to push one particular material over another. This is often because one material or another makes them more money. But that’s not done with the best interests of the homeowner at heart. That’s why the best roofers will offer options. They’ll break down each option in terms of quality and value and help you to find the right choice for you. They’ll also offer financing and special deals so that if you do choose a pricier option, you can still fit it within your budget.
Are You a GAF Master Elite Roofer?
It’s not easy to become a GAF Master Elite roofer, nor should it be. In fact, only 2% of roofers in North America can claim this distinction. These must renew their certificate every year so as to ensure they haven’t slipped in quality. This is a hard won distinction, but if you see a roofer with this distinction, it means that you can expect excellence, expertise, and professionalism from them. Even better if they offer the GAF Golden Pledge warranty, the best warranty offered on roofs in the United States.
Can You Provide References?
Imagine if you could call the writers of the reviews you read online for a particular roofer. That’s what you’ll find when you ask the right roofer for references. A reference isn’t just a list of reviews. It’s actual past customers that you can contact and ask about their experience. If someone’s offered to be a reference for a roofer, that already speaks glowingly of the roofer. When you talk to them, you can ask about the quality of the roof, how it’s held up, and the professionalism of the roofers.
How Do You Handle Inclement Weather?
Most contractors can’t work in rain or snow, so there may be some delays in the project due to inclement weather. Most of the time, they’ll keep an eye on the weather forecast ahead of time so they can plan and warn homeowners accordingly. However, it’s a bit trickier when it’s roofing because the time spent away from the roofing project means holes in your roof. Most roofers should provide tarps and other protective measures to keep rain from getting into your home, but it’s always best to ask about the policy first.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions of a roofer that you plan to hire. You need to be informed before you sign any contract with them. Have questions for Solid State Construction and our roofing services? Contact us today for more information or to get started with a free estimate.